To the gentleman looking for his next pair of AE's; I picked up a pair of BB Warwicks in dark chili and have found them to be a great shoe for less formal suits and casual wear. I find myself going to them every time I put on grey slacks. I think the shoe is very stylish and it fits my narrow foot as wel as any shoe I have.

I have kicked around the idea of having false tongues made for my various monks to alter the style occasionally. Anybody ever attempt this?

A false tongue is similar to a kiltie. It can be removed. These are common on work boots, but I bought a pair of Italian monks many years ago that had the same thing. Basically a leather smith would fashion a kiltie that would slip under the strap for a change of look.

Both guys are in Huntersville, NC (maybe they're related) but that's about an hour from the AE outlet.

It is not both guys, it is the same guy, and he buys worn returns and shoes that are not even good enough to be seconds directly from Allen Edmonds for next to nothing per pair because he buys big quantities. He then sells them for big profits on eBay.

For anyone who is looking for a black balmoral cap toe shoe on eBay or second hand..you know for a wedding/funeral/interview shoe and you do not want the 65 last - I was wearing my pair of what I thought were Fifth Aves...lol yes I have too many shoes....and when I was cleaning them I realized they were the Byron which is built on the 4 last...a very True To Size last...these were discontinued a while ago and they fit me perfect with lacing gap and comfort...I would say they are similar to the 511 last(I wear a 13E in the 511 typicaly). In the 65 last I am 12eee for balmoral and 12e for blucher for reference.

Anyway it is the spitting image of the Fifth Ave and probably if found on the bay is dirt cheap.

Picture of the Byron from Ebay for those who are unfamiliar with the model.

Can someone recommend to me what should be my next AE shoe? I typically either wear business casual for work/meetings and the occasional suit which is typically navy or a shade of grey.

I currently own:

Black PA's
Walnut Strands
Bourbon Daltons

I am obviously missing a solid brown color or a oxblood/merlot/burgundy color. Suggestions on which color to go with or which model? I have tried McAllisters in merlot before and send them back because they were very purple.

Thx

I love my Dark Chili Universities. Even my wife likes them and we agree on little style wise. They have the Dainite sole, so they could be used when the ground is wet.

It is not both guys, it is the same guy, and he buys worn returns and shoes that are not even good enough to be seconds directly from Allen Edmonds for next to nothing per pair because he buys big quantities. He then sells them for big profits on eBay.

Yes, they are "thirds", but to be fair, they're still an excellent value (at least imho). I would take third at less than 30% of the price of a second--let alone a first--any day.

It is not both guys, it is the same guy, and he buys worn returns and shoes that are not even good enough to be seconds directly from Allen Edmonds for next to nothing per pair because he buys big quantities. He then sells them for big profits on eBay.

How can you tell if they are thirds other than the imperfection he states? I thought thirds had snake eyes markings on the sole?

How can you tell if they are thirds other than the imperfection he states? I thought thirds had snake eyes markings on the sole?

Quote:

Originally Posted by AENovice

The 'No Warranty' stamp on the sole. My understanding of that mark is that they can generally be recrafted, but AE makes no guarantees that a recraft will be successful.

Yep, there's a 'no warranty' stamp usually on the sole and sometimes in the inner (side) lining. I've sent a pair of 'no warranty' Fifth Ave's to AE for a recraft with no issues, so I consider these a good bargain (just have to pay close attention to the photos provided)...

I scored a pair of 'no warranty' burgundy shell Leeds for $200 best offer from dabondo1, which just looked to be store returns (very minimal wear) and I wear them regularly. Then there are others that are clearing thirds with cuts in the leather, etc.

Yes, they are "thirds", but to be fair, they're still an excellent value (at least imho). I would take third at less than 30% of the price of a second--let alone a first--any day.

I own a pair of "no warranty" AEs that I bought on ebay...the only thing I saw was they were worn. I've chatted with the AE online reps, they said "no warranty" could be for less than seconds, as suggested, but (as RitchieBro said) could be returned firsts that are just too worn to be resold.

I did buy a pair from the dabondo1 dude, he accepted $100 for a $189 asking price shoe. There was some white powder on it (that came off with some TLC) and he gave me a $30 refund (or was willing to do a full return).

Quote:

Originally Posted by RitchieBro

he buys worn returns and shoes that are not even good enough to be seconds directly from Allen Edmonds for next to nothing per pair because he buys big quantities. He then sells them for big profits on eBay.

I wanted to know if these "No Warranty" shoes are for sale to the public anywhere? Or has he worked it out to buy large numbers direct from AE...so he gets them all?

I own a pair of "no warranty" AEs that I bought on ebay...the only thing I saw was they were worn. I've chatted with the AE online reps, they said "no warranty" could be for less than seconds, as suggested, but (as RitchieBro said) could be returned firsts that are just too worn to be resold.

I did buy a pair from the dabondo1 dude, he accepted $100 for a $189 asking price shoe. There was some white powder on it (that came off with some TLC) and he gave me a $30 refund (or was willing to do a full return).

I wanted to know if these "No Warranty" shoes are for sale to the public anywhere? Or has he worked it out to buy large numbers direct from AE...so he gets them all?

He is what is known in the industry as a "jobber". He has a contract to buy them all, for a low price, regardless of condition. I believe he buys everything they have.

You do have to be careful with him. He's sold two of my defective MTOs with no disclosure of the defects. One suede Mcallister where the gumlight sole was peeling off (which the buyer would then have to pay immediately to get resoled, negating the savings), and a shell derby with two cracks in the leather upper (basically junk).

I contacted him about the defects on each pair and suggested he disclose them, but he never did.

He is what is known in the industry as a "jobber". He has a contract to buy them all, for a low price, regardless of condition. I believe he buys everything they have.

I'm kind of surprised AE facilitates this. Some companies are so protective of their 'brand identity' that they'd rather destroy sub-par goods rather than let them been see the light of day. Then again, I don't suppose there aren't many instances of someone scoring 'thirds,' wearing them out, a friend noticing the shoes and a severe flaw, asking who makes them, and then thinking 'I'll never buy that brand.'

Just received my Park Avenue firsts in the mail. Wore them for maybe 5 minutes around the house. Took 'em off and noticed that it looked like a coating on the left shoe's tongue was peeling/flaking off. Peeled a little more with just some light touch.

Is this normal? Is AE now coating their shoes? Does this affect applying a shine? Should I exchange them?

Just received my Park Avenue firsts in the mail. Wore them for maybe 5 minutes around the house. Took 'em off and noticed that it looked like a coating on the left shoe's tongue was peeling/flaking off. Peeled a little more with just some light touch.

Is this normal? Is AE now coating their shoes? Does this affect applying a shine? Should I exchange them?

Thanks!

Hit it with some leather lotion and then polish. shouldn't be an issue. The final stage of finishing is actually a sprayed finish that is then cured in an oven. It's not coated, but the final polish is sprayed. You'll see peeling like that occasionally on the tongue area, but it should be easy to take care of.